Turgeon was traded because Don Maloney is and was an idiot. He didn’t want to get traded. Pat Lafonatine was a contract dispute with Pat wanting some exuberant amount of money from what I remember so not sure they’re the best examples and I think you poked holes in your own point with Trottier.
- Cptmjl

I was just trying to point out the team for whatever reasons has had trouble keeping star players. It was either the teams issue or the player. Trottier was a former great player they did not finish his career with the Isles. Hopefully with Lou and Barry and Belmont things will be different.

In fairness the paragraph before described a bridge deal around 7 million while holding onto his RFA status. That of course is what we would all want not sure if Barzal’s agent would go for it?
- Cptmjl

This would be the best and would be easier to fit other players to help Barzal. Anything that happens with Barzal will not be a shock.

I was just trying to point out the team for whatever reasons has had trouble keeping star players. It was either the teams issue or the player. Trottier was a former great player they did not finish his career with the Isles. Hopefully with Lou and Barry and Belmont things will be different.
- ses111

My memory is that in the late 1980s, the Isles missed the playoffs for the first time in like 15 years, so Bill Torrey decided it was time for a complete rebuild. He saw no point in bringing back an aging Trottier, however great he once was, so he allowed Trottier to finish his career with a contending team. It seemed like he was doing Trottier a favor as much as he was looking to the future best interests of the Islanders.

My memory is that in the late 1980s, the Isles missed the playoffs for the first time in like 15 years, so Bill Torrey decided it was time for a complete rebuild. He saw no point in bringing back an aging Trottier, however great he once was, so he allowed Trottier to finish his career with a contending team. It seemed like he was doing Trottier a favor as much as he was looking to the future best interests of the Islanders.
- JohnScammo

Trotts seems upset he was let go John. I could be wrong but I thought it caused friction with Trotts and it seemed to be big news when it happened and the Isles caught heat? This is more an issue with losing or trading players like Patty, Pierre, and JT. I can understand the article in the Post in a way. Isles have had their fair share of star player drama.

Trotts seems upset he was let go John. I could be wrong but I thought it caused friction with Trotts and it seemed to be big news when it happened and the Isles caught heat? This is more an issue with losing or trading players like Patty, Pierre, and JT. I can understand the article in the Post in a way. Isles have had their fair share of star player drama.
- ses111

I do recall that there was some friction that lingered between Trottier and the Islanders in the late 1990s. I honestly don't remember why. You're probably right that it related to them not bringing him back in the early 1990s.

I do recall that there was some friction that lingered between Trottier and the Islanders in the late 1990s. I honestly don't remember why. You're probably right that it related to them not bringing him back in the early 1990s.
- JohnScammo

I think the Isles released him right after he scored his 500th goal and it was in 1990? I remember Isles were ripped when they released him. It was not something Trotts wanted even though he went on to sign with the Pens and win two more Cups. I think Pickett being cheap and stop caring about the team caused a lot of these issues.

[quote=eichiefs9]
Haha holy poop.

In fairness the paragraph before described a bridge deal around 7 million while holding onto his RFA status. That of course is what we would all want not sure if Barzal’s agent would go for it?
- Cptmjl

Agreed on the bridge deal, also it allows more bad contracts to come off if/when Barzal needs another extension.

I was just trying to point out the team for whatever reasons has had trouble keeping star players. It was either the teams issue or the player. Trottier was a former great player they did not finish his career with the Isles. Hopefully with Lou and Barry and Belmont things will be different.
- ses111

The problem back then was they wanted to run the team on a shoestring budget. Starting from when Pickett lost interest and sold the team up til Wang this franchise had a string of some of the sh!ttiest owners in the history of sports. Once Wang showed up, and now with Ledecky and Malkin, the budget hasn't been a problem. The problem is the stigma, and it's going to take a long time to fix that, unfortunately.

The problem back then was they wanted to run the team on a shoestring budget. Starting from when Pickett lost interest and sold the team up til Wang this franchise had a string of some of the sh!ttiest owners in the history of sports. Once Wang showed up, and now with Ledecky and Malkin, the budget hasn't been a problem. The problem is the stigma, and it's going to take a long time to fix that, unfortunately.
- PeteM

I agree, and would just remind that the original owner, Roy Boe, had the Islanders teetering on bankruptcy in the late 1970s before he sold the team to Pickett. In other words, I think Malkin so far looks like the best owner the Isles have ever had............unless you count John Spano.